Ironvolt: Grimm (Self Released) [Matt Bladen]
An insistent string intro belies what is to come on this debut album from Bristol's Ironvolt as The Pale Red Gentlemen brings some funky guitars as the grooves work their way in. This is Ironvolt's raison d'etre low slung groove metal with some alternative metal intrigue. Led by the soulful vocals of Minka Miles who has a snarl of attitude on Satan Taxi where she decries "show me that your just no good" as the funk-styled guitar continues. Ironvolt bring a melting pot of influences to this album, Aaron Miles' lead guitar is unique sounding, kicking out choppy riffs and twisting solos bring punk to a band that owe as much to RHCP and No Doubt as they do to Korn (Pigs) and Soundgarden. The rest of riff focussed energy come from Lewis Weyman (rhythm guitar), Butters (bass) and Sam Harbridge (drums) they creep on Sloth but Defiled is more of a classic rocker, and a raging pit starter I'd think, there's even a killer cover of Filthy/Gorgeous by Scissor Sisters. The songs on Grimm are made to be played live, riffs that breakdown into thick grooves, funk/punk and alt influences abound and hooks-a-plenty it's no wonder why this band are making a big splash across the bridge. 7/10
At Night I Fly: Mirror Maze (Self Released) [Matt Bladen]
At Night I Fly are something of a supergroup, they were formed by prominent members of the Hungarian progressive metal scene. So because of that you can probably assume, rightly, that Mirror Maze is a progressive metal album. A distinctly good progressive metal as well, based in the style of Dream Theater, Psychotic Waltz, Evergrey and even Pain Of Salvation. After the choral Silent... it's Gethsemane that opens the record with some melodic guitars and keys a the grittier metal sound runs through this track, The Pit brings some more Pink Floyd styled atmosphere and a seriously superior guitar solo. The music here has introspection, it's emotive and filled with power due to the heavy distortion of the rhythm section on tracks like Uriel, as the guitars soar with intricate fluidity and the excellent voice of Zoltán Bátky carries the passion of the lyrics. It's prog metal as straightforward as it can be if you like you'll fine a lot here to love, if not then I'd suggest you look elsewhere. 7/10
Artillery: In The Trash (Mighty Music) [Paul Hutchings]
Raw, loose and totally honest, this 11-track compilation from the Danish thrashers consists of songs from their formative years, 1982 -1986 when the band were starting to make a name for themselves in the burgeoning thrash movement which was mushrooming. Early songs, such as their first ever demo We Are the Dead with the line-up of Per Onink on vocals, Jørgen Sandau on guitar, Michael Stützer on guitar, Morten Stützer on bass and Carsten Nielsen on drums are ragged but show the potential the band had. The demo In The Trash was recorded for Neat Records at the time but was never released. It’s earthy, gritty and full of vibrant enthusiasm. Listening to tracks such as Bitch in 2019 isn’t pretty, with the vocals rather poor but overall this is an album that holds interest for those who love their thrash unadulterated and straightforward. 6/10
Beyond Chaos: The Mind Trauma (Self Released) [Paul Hutchings]
Apart from the fact that Beyond Chaos are from Sweden, I have very little information about this band. What I can tell you is that they play a vicious style of explosive death metal which is slightly marred by the duel vocals. Whilst I appreciate the Johan Hegg style roar, the additional screeching which runs in parallel with many of the vocals, such as on The Last Minute fail to impress. Musically it is tight enough, with some interesting melodies and switches in style providing atmosphere. Thick heavy riffs aplenty, as you would expect and at 35 minutes it is a reasonable listen. Few memorable tracks though and some of the more formulaic styles fail to elevate overall. 5/10
An insistent string intro belies what is to come on this debut album from Bristol's Ironvolt as The Pale Red Gentlemen brings some funky guitars as the grooves work their way in. This is Ironvolt's raison d'etre low slung groove metal with some alternative metal intrigue. Led by the soulful vocals of Minka Miles who has a snarl of attitude on Satan Taxi where she decries "show me that your just no good" as the funk-styled guitar continues. Ironvolt bring a melting pot of influences to this album, Aaron Miles' lead guitar is unique sounding, kicking out choppy riffs and twisting solos bring punk to a band that owe as much to RHCP and No Doubt as they do to Korn (Pigs) and Soundgarden. The rest of riff focussed energy come from Lewis Weyman (rhythm guitar), Butters (bass) and Sam Harbridge (drums) they creep on Sloth but Defiled is more of a classic rocker, and a raging pit starter I'd think, there's even a killer cover of Filthy/Gorgeous by Scissor Sisters. The songs on Grimm are made to be played live, riffs that breakdown into thick grooves, funk/punk and alt influences abound and hooks-a-plenty it's no wonder why this band are making a big splash across the bridge. 7/10
At Night I Fly: Mirror Maze (Self Released) [Matt Bladen]
At Night I Fly are something of a supergroup, they were formed by prominent members of the Hungarian progressive metal scene. So because of that you can probably assume, rightly, that Mirror Maze is a progressive metal album. A distinctly good progressive metal as well, based in the style of Dream Theater, Psychotic Waltz, Evergrey and even Pain Of Salvation. After the choral Silent... it's Gethsemane that opens the record with some melodic guitars and keys a the grittier metal sound runs through this track, The Pit brings some more Pink Floyd styled atmosphere and a seriously superior guitar solo. The music here has introspection, it's emotive and filled with power due to the heavy distortion of the rhythm section on tracks like Uriel, as the guitars soar with intricate fluidity and the excellent voice of Zoltán Bátky carries the passion of the lyrics. It's prog metal as straightforward as it can be if you like you'll fine a lot here to love, if not then I'd suggest you look elsewhere. 7/10
Artillery: In The Trash (Mighty Music) [Paul Hutchings]
Raw, loose and totally honest, this 11-track compilation from the Danish thrashers consists of songs from their formative years, 1982 -1986 when the band were starting to make a name for themselves in the burgeoning thrash movement which was mushrooming. Early songs, such as their first ever demo We Are the Dead with the line-up of Per Onink on vocals, Jørgen Sandau on guitar, Michael Stützer on guitar, Morten Stützer on bass and Carsten Nielsen on drums are ragged but show the potential the band had. The demo In The Trash was recorded for Neat Records at the time but was never released. It’s earthy, gritty and full of vibrant enthusiasm. Listening to tracks such as Bitch in 2019 isn’t pretty, with the vocals rather poor but overall this is an album that holds interest for those who love their thrash unadulterated and straightforward. 6/10
Apart from the fact that Beyond Chaos are from Sweden, I have very little information about this band. What I can tell you is that they play a vicious style of explosive death metal which is slightly marred by the duel vocals. Whilst I appreciate the Johan Hegg style roar, the additional screeching which runs in parallel with many of the vocals, such as on The Last Minute fail to impress. Musically it is tight enough, with some interesting melodies and switches in style providing atmosphere. Thick heavy riffs aplenty, as you would expect and at 35 minutes it is a reasonable listen. Few memorable tracks though and some of the more formulaic styles fail to elevate overall. 5/10